Rwanda amends immigration law to adopt EAC common market protocol

KIGALI-the department of immigration and emigration in the office of the president have amended the law that will enable the East African Community citizens acquire the “visit visas” to work and stay in Rwanda for the period of two years renewable.

The immigration bill, which have been adopted and given ago ahead with the both chambers of Parliament waiting for the president to append and be published in the national gazette is seen as a mile stone to fully integration and align the local law to the international laws.

“The principal of EAC Common Market is of the none-discrimination based on nationality, so we are aligning our laws with the bloc provisions.” Minique Mukaruriza, the Minister in-charge EAC affair said.

When the bill becomes to be the law, the working permit (green card) will be for free and any EAC citizen will be able to compete in Rwanda’s job in Private sector without any discrimination, said Mukaruriza.

“We have consultants who have listed our local laws that need to be aligned with the EAC provisions and that’s what we’re doing including our immigration and emigration law, commercial law, labor law etc…and doing this means that Rwanda has the political will and commitment to be fully integrated.” Mukaruriza narrated.

The principal adopted by Rwanda government is that any foreigner with expertise is employed in the Rwanda’s public sector.

Rwanda‘s integration

According to Mukaruriza, as far as integration agenda is concerned, Rwanda is fully integrated in EAC, but had to see that fact in EAC organs and institutions.

“Yes, we are integrated but there is still a problem with countries that joined later as Rwanda and Burundi, We’re not hosting any EAC organ or institution.” Mukaruriza protested.

Mukaruriza told this paper that “It doesn’t make any sense when the original member states like Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania hosts more than one EAC organ and institutions while Rwanda and Burundi hosts none.”

“The principal of EAC is that all member states of EAC share everything equitably. “She said adding that “the fact is not visible in terms of staffing and hosting the organs and institutions.”

Mukaruriza believes that Rwanda can host any organ of EAC organs from the Headquarter, EAC Court of Justice, EAC Legislative assembly also the institutions like EADB, Inter-university council etc…